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sensory perception

·June 11, 2024·5 min read

Early Smells Shape Newborn Brains: Olfaction Linked to Touch Development

Early exposure to odors in newborn mice is crucial for the development of their sense of touch. Researchers found that pleasant smells activate brain areas responsible for touch within the first week of life, influencing sensory processing.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·April 24, 2024·5 min read

How Sensory Experiences Shape Neurons

A new study introduces BARseq—a rapid, cost-effective method for mapping brain cells, revealing new insights into how our brains are structured at a cellular level. Researchers used BARseq to classify millions of neurons across multiple mouse brains, discovering unique 'cellular signatures' that define each brain region.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 12, 2024·6 min read

Proteasomes May Be Key to Sensory Signals

Researchers discovered a novel role of the proteasome, traditionally known as the cell's waste processor, in nerve cells. Their findings reveal that proteasomes in dorsal root ganglion neurons may act more like signal messengers, aiding in the differentiation between pain and itch sensations.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 3, 2024·3 min read

Tickling: A Path to Unexpected Pleasures

A new study explores tickling in a sexual context, revealing its role in sexual arousal and satisfaction for some individuals. The research surveyed 719 participants, uncovering that tickling can lead to sexual satisfaction and, in some cases, orgasms.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 29, 2024·4 min read

Touching Findings: Elkin1 is Key to Sensory Perception

Researchers discovered a new ion channel, Elkin1, appears to be crucial for touch perception. This finding marks a significant advancement in understanding the molecular basis of touch.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 14, 2023·5 min read

Phantom Touch: VR Reveals New Insights in Human Perception

Researchers discovered a 'phantom touch illusion' in virtual reality (VR), where users feel sensations without physical contact. This study, involving 36 volunteers, demonstrated that participants experienced a tingling sensation when virtually touching their bodies.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2023·4 min read

ASMR: Relaxation or Irritation?

ASMR, a phenomenon enjoyed by many for its calming effects, has been scientifically shown to positively alter mood and physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure in 25-30% of people. Researchers, after reviewing over 1,000 scientific articles, confirmed ASMR's consistent description and experience across individuals, noting changes in delta brain waves and activation in specific brain regions.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 8, 2023·6 min read

Dino’s Subterranean Senses: Unveiling Thescelosaurus’ Traits

New CT scans of the Thescelosaurus neglectus, known as Willo, suggest it may have spent time underground, contrasting with its previously dull reputation. Researchers found Willo had a limited hearing range but a powerful sense of smell and balance, similar to modern burrowing animals.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 16, 2023·7 min read

Neural Networks’ Unique Perceptions: Decoding Machine vs. Human Sensory Recognition

A new study delves into the enigmatic realm of deep neural networks, discovering that while these models can identify objects akin to human sensory systems, their recognition strategies diverge from human perception. When prompted to generate stimuli similar to a given input, the networks often produced unrecognizable or distorted images and sounds.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 17, 2023·7 min read

Can You Describe a Sensation Without Feeling It First?

A new study that examined people without somatosensation reveals direct sensory experience is not required to understand or use abstract metaphors or language about sensations.

This shows a young girl smelling a flower

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 13, 2023·4 min read

Study May Help to Explain Smell Challenges in Individuals With Autism

Study sheds light on why some people with autism experience aversion to certain smells and the neural mechanisms that underlie olfactory processing in those with ASD.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 24, 2023·5 min read

Neurons That “Learn” to Smell a Threat

Researchers reveal how the olfactory system aids in threat assessment and have identified neurons that learn whether a specific smell represents a threat.